Use of Polydioxanone Absorbable Monofilament Sutures in Orthopedic Surgery

Abstract

The safety and efficacy of polydioxanone absorbable monofilament sutures was documented in 57
orthopedic surgery patients (32, dyed sutures; 25, undyed sutures), 55 of whom were followed for
at least 42 days postoperatively. The other two patients were lost to follow up prior to 42 days.
The final clinical outcome was excellent in all completed study subjects. No suture-related adverse
effects were reported. Both dyed and undyed sutures were consistently better than surgical gut
with respect to pliability, strength, ease of passage, ease of tying, fraying, knot security, and
overall handling.
Intraoperative visibility superior of that of surgical gut. The visibility of undyed sutures was rated
better than surgical gut in 16 cases, equal in 8, and worse in 1. Both the overall handling of the
polydioxanone monofilament sutures and performance as it affected wound healing were
significantly superior to those of surgical gut.

Materials and Methods

The open-label study was conducted in hospitalized patients who were scheduled to undergo
orthopedic surgery. Only inpatients were eligible for partition.

Patients in whom the necessary follow up appeared to be impractical at the outset of the trial,
those with concurrent disease, and individuals receiving medications, such as c